HK P7 Info?

mmattockx

mmattockx

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I have searched and found bits and pieces, but nothing definitive.

Yesterday I got to test drive a P7 PSP (many thanks to hot_slag_in_your_boot for the generous offer to test his) and it was every bit as good as I keep seeing in this forum and elsewhere. Now I am going to have to add it to my list of must buy's, but I would like more info on the various models and where to buy in Canada. What I think I know so far:

1) PSP has heel mag catch, P7M8 has thumb catch.
2) Many of the PSP's here are ex-police models and were refurbed by HK and then sold. P7M8's seem to be new guns, not refurbed (correct?).
3) The P7 is no longer produced.
4) Mags are hard to find and very expensive

Can anybody add to this info? I would prefer a P7M8 for the thumb mag release, but they seem to be around 50% more than a like condition PSP and harder to find. Were there any refurb M8's? Any web sites out there that explain the various models in more depth?

Thanks,
Mark
 
check out parkcitiestactical . com

and HKPRO . com

HK P7M8's were used by a couple of US police forces but if available are likely heavily used. Most of refurbished P7 are from Europe, typically lightly used. P7M8 magazines are available at P&D currently, Wolverine can get them too I believe.

They are likely the smallest restricted semi pistol you can get that does not have the barrel protruding past the slide. They are thin, compact but heavy due to all steel construction. Reliability is excellent as is the accuracy. Cleaning is a bit of a pain as they have lots of parts inside and it's a cramped frame. Parts can be an issue.

I recently sold 2 of my 3 P7M8's but I'm sitting on a large number of spare parts including firing pin bushings, extractors, sear bars, springs, pins, spare piston, extractors and such. Any one needing those parts can PM me.
 
mmattockx said:
I would prefer a P7M8 for the thumb mag release....
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The PSP model seems to be a tiny bit safer with the heel release, at least when using a holster. On the other hand, the M8 has a heat shield lacking from the earlier gun.

I have a PSP that came with eight magazines and I'm willing to part with four. But not cheaply. :D
 
The P7M8 cost is a litle steeper then the PSP but it worth the extra. If you have big hands you shoult also consider the P7M13(13 rounds mag) with a double colum mag. I personnaly prefer the M8. There's also a .40S&W version with double colum mag only it's called the P7M10(10 rounds mag). HK also made the some P7 with nickle plated slides.

The P7 series features a unique gas-delayed blowback locking system modeled on the Swiss W+F 47 pistol prototype, which used gas pressures from the ignited cartridge and fed them through a small port in the barrel (in front of the chamber) to retard the rearward motion of the slide. This is accomplished by means of a piston contained inside of a cylinder located under the barrel that opposes the rearward motion of the slide until the gas pressure has declined—after the bullet has left the barrel—hence allowing the slide to end its rearward motion, opening the breech and ejecting the empty cartridge case.

The chamber has 18 flutes that aid in the extraction process by allowing combustion gases to flow between the fired case and the chamber walls, preventing the case from "sticking" to the chamber walls. The drawback of this system is that the breech "opens" slightly prematurely to allow the slide to initiate its rearward motion. The high temperature gases cycling through a tube located below the chamber area and above the trigger made the early versions of this pistol uncomfortable to shoot after the content of two magazines were fired due to heating. The advantages of this system are a simpler manufacturing process due to the absence of a locking system and a high mechanical accuracy due to the barrel being fixed in the frame; the barrel does not execute any sort of lateral or vertical movement during the operating cycle like with the prolific Browning cam-action systems used extensively in other locked breech pistols.

The pistol has an innovative trigger (with a squeeze cocking lever located at the front of the grip, beneath the trigger guard) and is striker fired. Squeezing the cocking lever with a force of 15.7 lbs automatically cocks the firing pin. The weapon is then fired by pressing the single stage trigger rated at approximately 4.5 lbs. The squeeze cocking lever also acts as the safety and protects against accidental firing as the lever moves forward to its initial position automatically decocking the pistol when the lever is released.
 
Harry Callahan said:
The P7M8 cost is a litle steeper then the PSP but it worth the extra. If you have big hands you shoult also consider the P7M13(13 rounds mag) with a double colum mag. I personnaly prefer the M8. There's also a .40S&W version with double colum mag only it's called the P7M10(10 rounds mag). H
Click to expand...

A P7M8 new is about double the cost of the refurbished PSPs. If you are not going to be shooting mag after mag through it, then the lack of the heat shield on the PSP is not a big factor. Heal release mags just take a bit of practice. BTW, the Ruger MKI and MKII have heal release mags, the MKIII changed to behind the trigger guard.

The P7M10 tends to break. If you chose to get one, make sure it is not broken or has any "issues". The P7 was designed as a 9mm, and they tried to "adapt" the existing 9mm frame to 40 S&W by using a much heavier slide etc.
 
Gundoggy said:
I recently sold 2 of my 3 P7M8's but I'm sitting on a large number of spare parts including firing pin bushings, extractors, sear bars, springs, pins, spare piston, extractors and such. Any one needing those parts can PM me.
Click to expand...

I know, I saw those go on the EE and just couldn't pull the trigger without testing one first. I will keep it in mind when I get one that you have a pile of parts. Thanks for the links.

Harry Callahan said:
The P7M8 cost is a litle steeper then the PSP but it worth the extra. If you have big hands you shoult also consider the P7M13(13 rounds mag) with a double colum mag.
Click to expand...

Cost is a lot steeper, not a bit. I have small hands and the PSP fit me very well. I think the M13 would be way too thick for my taste.

SandRoad said:
A P7M8 new is about double the cost of the refurbished PSPs. If you are not going to be shooting mag after mag through it, then the lack of the heat shield on the PSP is not a big factor. Heal release mags just take a bit of practice.
Click to expand...

How hot does it get? I ran at least 9 mags through the PSP yesterday (albeit on a fairly cool day) and it never even warmed up to the touch. I could probably get over the heel release for the $500+ price difference, it did work better than any other heel release I have tried.

Does anyobdy know of a dealer that has some in stock for me to look at?

Thanks for the info, guys.

Mark
 
I have had all of the above models and still prefer the M13 as I have a slightly larger hand. The PSP was just too plain small for me. They are an excellent firearm with above average accuracy and they will keep their value as the years go by. The P7 was actually chambered in .45 with all the examples currently in HK's hands I believe. None are privately owned. The slide on it was the same basic dimensions as the M13 originally as were the first M10's. For some reason they thickened the slide to unflattering dimensions. The M10 is a pussycat to shoot although i have only taken it out once due to its rarity. Do i like them? I will always own one in my collection, absolutely and without a doubt. One other nice thing about the M13 is the ability to use the M10 mags in it giving you an extra couple rounds. Here are a couple of comparison pics between the M13 & M10.

shooting023.jpg


shooting028.jpg
 
Gundoggy said:
I once shot my P7M8 when it was only 2-3degrees out and my hands were toasty warm
Click to expand...

I must have been doing something wrong, it was probably -7C or so yesterday when I was testing it out. Warm enough to shoot comfortably with bare hands. 3 mags fired through in quick but not rapid fire never even warmed up the frame. I was checking because I had heard that the frame above the trigger would get hot and I couldn't feel it getting warm at all. Go figure. Maybe it was cold enough to quench the heating and keep it cool to the touch.

I am thinking that the PSP is looking better and better for the price.

Mark
 
I owned a PSP in the US and now own a M8 here. I prefer the PSP because I just like the heel mag release better. Unfortunately (but not excessively so), when I went to buy one, only the M8 was available. I have small hands and the gun fits my hand perfectly. I never had a problem with the frame getting too hot, but then I never did any rapid firing over any length of time. The lever-cocking, gas-retarding design is just superb.
 
MTF said:
I owned a PSP in the US and now own a M8 here. I prefer the PSP because I just like the heel mag release better. Unfortunately (but not excessively so), when I went to buy one, only the M8 was available.
Click to expand...

Tell you what. I will find a nice condition PSP and then we can trade, straight across.:D

7.65 Para said:
I like the heel mag release on my PSP. Probably the best heel mag release I've ever used.
Click to expand...

It did work very well once I got the hang of it. With some practice I am sure it wouldn't be much of a handicap at all to fast mag changes (my version of fast is very slow in the grand scheme of things).

Mark
 
SandRoad said:
A P7M8 new is about double the cost of the refurbished PSPs. If you are not going to be shooting mag after mag through it, then the lack of the heat shield on the PSP is not a big factor. Heal release mags just take a bit of practice. BTW, the Ruger MKI and MKII have heal release mags, the MKIII changed to behind the trigger guard.

The P7M10 tends to break. If you chose to get one, make sure it is not broken or has any "issues". The P7 was designed as a 9mm, and they tried to "adapt" the existing 9mm frame to 40 S&W by using a much heavier slide etc.
Click to expand...


I found that the heat shield makes no difference at all. After shooting both the psp and the m8 extensively I noticed that is is not my trigger finger that is exposed to the heat but rather my middle finger resting under the trigger guard gets hot:(
 
robak1 said:
I found that the heat shield makes no difference at all. After shooting both the psp and the m8 extensively I noticed that is is not my trigger finger that is exposed to the heat but rather my middle finger resting under the trigger guard gets hot:(
Click to expand...

Right. If you can't fix one problem, change something else whether it needs it or not. Reminds me of when I worked for the premises department of a bank years ago: if a branch was held up at gunpoint more than once, the insurance companies required them to install a thicker vault door. :bangHead:
 
mmattockx said:
How hot does it get? I ran at least 9 mags through the PSP yesterday (albeit on a fairly cool day) and it never even warmed up to the touch. I could probably get over the heel release for the $500+ price difference, it did work better than any other heel release I have tried.

Does anyobdy know of a dealer that has some in stock for me to look at?

Thanks for the info, guys.

Mark
Click to expand...

When I shot my PSP in similar temperatures I found the same thing. Shooting it in the summer was when my trigger finger started to burn. Still a fantastic pistol though. This thing is actually smaller than the Prohibited S&W 5946 I have on long term loan.
 
Epoxy7 said:
When I shot my PSP in similar temperatures I found the same thing. Shooting it in the summer was when my trigger finger started to burn. Still a fantastic pistol though. This thing is actually smaller than the Prohibited S&W 5946 I have on long term loan.
Click to expand...

Good to know I'm not crazy on the heating issue. It is amazingly tiny, it would make a perfect carry pistol if/when we ever get CCW available again in this country.

Mark
 
Have two (one looked pristine, the other not so much and may hard chrome it), both shoot really well. Not notice any heat issues with squeezing off two mags in controlled manner, reloading leisurely and repeat...

The heel release works quite well, grab mag and release at same time. Understand it was relocated in response to complaints that seatbelt buckles could press on the heel release...

Given the 10 round limit do not think the additional 2 rounds significant enough to loose the single stack ergonomics and pay a higher price for the P7M13.

Mags appear every so often on the EE for about $70 and can be ordered in the states for about the same with a little looking.

Unique firearm - gas delay operation, even the extractor is redundant. The safety is foolproof, the trigger good ergonomics and great pull.

unofficial faqs
http://www.gunfaqs.org/P7FAQ/
http://www.hkp7.com/manuals.htm
 
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